JP2000259858A - Data display method and data display device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce entire calculation loads in a data base for arranging data inside a three-dimensional coordinate space as three-dimensional data objects and visualizing them. SOLUTION: At the time of generating the three-dimensional coordinate space as a data display space and arranging the respective data in the three- dimensional coordinate space, they are displayed while changing the expression method of the three-dimensional data objects so as to reduce a display load as separating from a view point. For instance, for the object M1 closest to the view point, on the surface of the three-dimensional object by a polygon, an image for indicating the contents of the data is stuck by texture mapping. On the contrary, the object far from the view point is expressed by a wire frame without using the polygon.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information display method, and more particularly to a data display method for displaying a data file stored in a database on a display device, and a data display device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique, a method of displaying data is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-307936.

[0003] In the above data display method, three-dimensional data objects representing the contents of individual data files in a database are stored in a three-dimensional coordinate space having a time axis in the depth direction and a classification axis in the horizontal direction. Arrange and visualize based on file time information and classification information. Therefore, according to the above data display method, the contents of each data file can be grasped at a glance, and at the same time, the relation with other data files and the time and classification position of the data file can be grasped intuitively. It is possible to do.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional data display method, a data object that looks small far from the viewpoint is displayed in the same form as a data object that looks large near the viewpoint. However, there is a problem that the calculation load becomes large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a database which arranges data as a three-dimensional data object in a three-dimensional coordinate space and visualizes the data. An object of the present invention is to provide a data display method capable of reducing a load and a data display device using the same.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data display method comprising: a space generating process for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space; Object generation processing for generating a three-dimensional data object expressing each data at a plurality of morphological levels having different loads required for display, and selecting the morphological level according to the distance between the three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint. Object placement processing for placing the three-dimensional data object in the three-dimensional coordinate space; and display processing for displaying an image of the three-dimensional coordinate space in which the three-dimensional data object is placed as viewed from the viewpoint. It is characterized by having.

According to the above-described method, a three-dimensional data object representing each data is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional coordinate space generated by the space generation processing based on the attribute of each data, and viewed from the viewpoint in the display processing. When displaying as an image
In the object generation processing, a plurality of morphological level three-dimensional data objects having different loads required for display are generated in advance, and in the object arranging processing, the morphological level three-dimensional data object corresponding to the distance from the viewpoint is selected to perform three-dimensional data object. Place in coordinate space.

Therefore, it becomes possible to display the three-dimensional data object at a form level with a small display load as the distance from the viewpoint increases. Therefore, in a database in which data is arranged and visualized in a three-dimensional coordinate space as a three-dimensional data object, the overall display load can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in addition to the first aspect, the object arranging processing includes the step of positioning the three-dimensional data object in the three-dimensional coordinate space. And block processing for arranging all the three-dimensional data objects included in the block at the same form level in accordance with the distance between the viewpoint and each block. It is characterized by having.

According to the above method, in addition to the operation of the method according to the first aspect, when selecting a three-dimensional data object of a morphological level corresponding to the distance from the viewpoint in the object arrangement processing, the three-dimensional data object is selected by the block processing. 3
Management is performed on a block-by-block basis according to the position in the dimensional coordinate space, and the form level of the three-dimensional data object is selected on a block-by-block basis according to the distance between the viewpoint and each block. That is, the same morphological level is selected for all three-dimensional data objects included in a block according to the distance between the block to which the block belongs and the viewpoint.

Therefore, the three-dimensional data object is managed in units of blocks, and the distance calculation from the viewpoint is performed in units of blocks. Therefore, the calculation load required for selecting the form level of each three-dimensional data object can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a space generating process for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space and expressing each data by being arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space. Object generation processing for generating a three-dimensional data object at a plurality of morphological levels with different loads required for display, and managing the three-dimensional data object in units of blocks divided according to positions in the three-dimensional coordinate space In the block whose distance from the viewpoint is within a predetermined range set in advance, the morphological level is selected according to the distance between each three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint, and the three-dimensional data object is placed in the three-dimensional coordinate space. In the block whose distance from the viewpoint is outside the predetermined range, the morphological level is selected according to the distance between the block and the viewpoint, and Object arranging processing for arranging all three-dimensional data objects included in the object at the same form level in a three-dimensional coordinate space, and an image of the three-dimensional coordinate space in which the three-dimensional data objects are arranged viewed from the viewpoint Is displayed.

According to the above-described method, a three-dimensional data object representing each data is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional coordinate space generated by the space generation processing based on the attribute of each data, and viewed from the viewpoint in the display processing. When displaying as an image
The three-dimensional data object is managed in units of blocks divided according to the position in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and the method of selecting the form level of the three-dimensional data object is changed for each block according to the distance between the viewpoint and the block. .

That is, in the object arrangement processing, for a block whose distance from the viewpoint is outside a predetermined range set in advance, the form level is selected according to the distance between the block and the viewpoint. Therefore, all 3 included in the block
For the dimensional data object, the same form level is selected according to the distance between the block to which it belongs and the viewpoint.

In the object arrangement processing, for a block whose distance from the viewpoint is within a predetermined range set in advance, the form level is selected according to the distance between each three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint. Therefore, it becomes possible to display the three-dimensional data object at a form level with a small display load as the distance from the viewpoint increases. Therefore, in a block close to the viewpoint and with a large range,
A three-dimensional data object within the block and far from the viewpoint can be displayed at a form level with a small display load.

As described above, since the three-dimensional data objects are managed in block units and the distance to the viewpoint is calculated in block units, the calculation load required for selecting the form level of each three-dimensional data object can be reduced. In addition, in a block whose distance from the viewpoint is within a predetermined range set in advance, a three-dimensional data object within the block and far from the viewpoint can be displayed at a form level with a small display load.

Therefore, in a database in which data is arranged and visualized in a three-dimensional coordinate space as a three-dimensional data object, the entire display load can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data display device for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space, and a data display device arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space to represent each data. An object generating means for generating a three-dimensional data object at a plurality of morphological levels having different loads required for display, and selecting the morphological level according to a distance between the three-dimensional data object and a viewpoint; Are arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and display means for displaying an image of the three-dimensional coordinate space in which the three-dimensional data object is arranged as viewed from the viewpoint is provided. .

According to the above arrangement, a three-dimensional data object representing each data is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional coordinate space generated by the space generating means based on the attribute of each data, and is viewed from the viewpoint by the display means. When displaying as an image, a plurality of morphological level three-dimensional data objects having different display loads are generated in advance by the object generating means, and the morphological level three-dimensional data object corresponding to the distance from the viewpoint is generated by the object arranging means. Is selected and arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space.

Therefore, it becomes possible to display the three-dimensional data object at a form level with a small display load as the distance from the viewpoint increases. Therefore, in a database in which data is arranged and visualized in a three-dimensional coordinate space as a three-dimensional data object, the overall display load can be reduced.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1] The following will describe one embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS.

The data display device according to the present embodiment is a device to which the data display method of the present invention is applied. That is, the data display device according to the present embodiment generates a three-dimensional coordinate space as a data display space, and when arranging each data in the three-dimensional coordinate space, the display load decreases as the distance from the viewpoint increases. Are displayed while changing the expression method of the three-dimensional data object. In the following description, “3D data object” may be referred to as “object”.

As shown in FIG. 1, the data display device includes a management unit 1, a space generation unit (space generation unit) 2, an object generation unit (object generation unit) 3, and an object arrangement unit (object arrangement unit). 4), a display unit (display means) 5, an input device 6, a database 7,
The display device 8 is provided.

The management unit 1, the space generation unit 2, the object generation unit 3, the object arrangement unit 4, and the display unit 5 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of a computer (not shown),
A functional module realized by a computer program operating on the CPU, a recording medium such as a hard disk for storing the computer program, and a memory using a semiconductor or the like for storing the computer program and data to be handled during operation. It is.

The input device 6 includes, for example, a keyboard,
It can be realized by a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, and a touch panel. The display device 8 can be realized by, for example, a CRT (cathode ray tube), an LCD (liquid crystal display), or the like.

The management unit 1 receives display information (display period, display classification (plurality), viewpoint position) necessary for display on the display device 8 from the user via the input device 6. Here, a start date and time and an end date and time are specified for the display period, and only data included in this period is displayed. The display classification is
It is an attribute of each data, and according to this display classification,
Each data is sorted, and the reduced images are arranged in the horizontal direction.

Specifically, the management unit 1 creates a spatial display information table 120, a data display information table 130, and a viewpoint information table 140 from the input display information.
Remember.

As shown in FIG. 2, the space display information table 120 includes a start date and time 121, an end date and time 122, a plurality of classification identifiers 123 indicating the classification to which the data belongs, and the like.
4 is a table storing information used in the space generation unit 2. Note that the classification identifier 123 is “plan”,
A plurality of items can be set in one place, such as “decision paper”, “minutes”, “report”, “image”, “mail”, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data display information table 130 has a data identifier 131, a creation date and time 132, and a plurality of classification identifiers 133 indicating the classification to which the data belongs.
It is a table that stores information used by the object generation unit 3 and the object arrangement unit 4 such as. That is, the data display information table 130 stores information about data in the database 7 that matches information in the space display information table 120. The data identifier 131 indicates a primary key for uniquely specifying each data in the database 7.

As shown in FIG. 4, the viewpoint information table 140 stores information used by the object arrangement unit 4 and the display unit 5, such as the viewpoint position coordinates 141. Note that the viewpoint can be set at an arbitrary position in a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space generated by the space generation unit 2. Then, a two-dimensional image obtained by viewing the three-dimensional data object of the data arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space from the viewpoint is generated by the display unit 5 and displayed on the display device 8.

The management unit 1 also manages the database 7 and generates information necessary for displaying a three-dimensional coordinate space based on information obtained from the input device 6 and the database 7. , The object generating unit 3, the object arranging unit 4, and the display unit 5 to manage the three-dimensional coordinate space and the data to be displayed in the space.

The space generation unit 2 generates a three-dimensional coordinate space as a virtual display space for arranging three-dimensional data objects. In the following description, in this three-dimensional coordinate space, each XYZ axis is set in a left-handed system. That is, the X axis is set to the right in the horizontal (horizontal) direction of the screen, the Y axis is set directly upward in the vertical (vertical) direction of the screen, and the Z axis is set in the virtual “depth” direction of the screen. And
Set the time axis in the depth direction and the classification axis in the horizontal direction.

The object generating section 3 generates a three-dimensional data object having a plurality of morphological levels representing the contents of the data and having different calculation loads at the time of display in order to represent the data in the three-dimensional coordinate space. .

The object arrangement unit 4 arranges a three-dimensional data object in a three-dimensional coordinate space according to information of each data. At this time, the object arranging unit 4 adjusts each of the three-dimensional data objects according to the distance between the three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint so that the display load decreases as the distance from the viewpoint increases.
Select any morphological level of the dimensional data object. The form level of the three-dimensional data object will be described later.

The display unit 5 generates a three-dimensional image of a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space in which three-dimensional data objects are arranged, as viewed from a viewpoint set at an arbitrary position in the three-dimensional coordinate space. , On the two-dimensional screen of the display device 8. The main body of the data can be displayed by selecting the three-dimensional data object displayed on the display device 8 via the input device 6 such as a mouse.

The processing from the input of a search request by the user to the display of data will be described in the order of steps with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step Sa, the management unit 1 receives the display period, display classification, and viewpoint position input by the user via the input device 6, and starts the process.

In step S1, the management unit 1 checks the validity of the information input in step Sa, and after confirming the validity, the space display information table 120 (FIG. 2) and the viewpoint information table 140 (FIG. 4). To update. Then, it makes an inquiry to the database 7 based on the information in the space display information table 120, calls up necessary data, and updates the data display information table 130.

In step S2, the space generation unit 2 receives the space display information table 120 from the management unit 1, and receives a Z axis representing the time axis in the depth direction, an X axis representing the classification axis in the rightward direction, and a Y axis in the upward direction. Generate a three-dimensional coordinate space having. Step S2 corresponds to a space generation process.

Subsequently, in steps S3 to S6, all data (n) in the data display information table 130 input from the management unit 1 by the object
), The calculation load at the time of display is different (m
(3) to generate a three-dimensional data object. Steps S3 to S6 correspond to an object generation process.

Here, the form level of the three-dimensional data object will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, a three-dimensional data object having five morphological levels will be described as an example, but the number of morphological levels can be appropriately increased or decreased. Also, the expression method may be any as long as there is a difference in the calculation load between the form levels, and it is possible to arbitrarily combine abstraction and omission methods and set them appropriately according to the use environment.

Generally, in image display, texture mapping is used, and as the resolution of an image used at that time increases, the calculation load at the time of display increases. Also,
The computational load is greater in polygon representation than in wireframe representation. Therefore, in the following configuration levels, the calculation load decreases as the level advances from level 1 to level 5.

The level 1 object (three-dimensional data object) M1 has a reduced image (thumbnail) representing the content of data attached to the surface of the three-dimensional object by the texture mapping. As with the object M1, the level 2 object M2 has an image representing the content of the data attached to the surface of the object, but uses an image having a lower resolution than that of the level 1. The object M3 of level 3 is represented only by a three-dimensional object using polygons, and no image is attached to the surface of the object. The level 4 object M4 is a three-dimensional object using a wire frame without using a polygon. Level 5 object M
5 is not displayed in the three-dimensional coordinate space (depicted by a dotted line in FIG. 6).

Further, in steps S7 to S11, after generating a three-dimensional data object (S3 to S6), the object arranging unit 4 causes all the data (n) in the data display information table 130 input from the management unit 1 to be input.
), The three-dimensional data object generated by the object generating unit 3 is arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space generated by the space generating unit 2. At this time, the form level is selected according to the distance from the viewpoint. The morphological level selection method uses a morphological level with a smaller computational load as the distance from the viewpoint increases. Steps S7 to S11 correspond to the object arrangement processing.

Finally, in step S12, the display unit 5 uses the three-dimensional coordinate space from the viewpoint position based on the viewpoint information input from the management unit 1 and the three-dimensional coordinate space information input from the object arrangement unit 4. Is displayed on the display device 8. Step S12 corresponds to display processing.

Here, a case where the input from the user is only a viewpoint change (Sb) will be described. In this case, the processing in the space generation unit 2 and the object generation unit 3 (S1 to S1)
Step S6) is not performed, and the process starts from step S7. Specifically, it is as follows.

In step Sb, the management unit 1 receives the viewpoint position input by the user via the input device 6, and starts the processing. Since the three-dimensional coordinate space and the three-dimensional data object have already been generated in the first processing (S1 to S6) for the viewpoint position, step S
In steps S7 to S11, the object placement unit 4 places all data in the data display information table 130 input from the management unit 1 in a three-dimensional coordinate space. That is, the distance between the viewpoint and each three-dimensional data object is recalculated in the object arrangement unit 4 (S9), and the form level of each three-dimensional data object is changed based on the distance (S10). Then, this process is performed for all data in the data display information table 130, and the display unit 5 displays on the display device 8 based on the new viewpoint information and the three-dimensional coordinate space information (S12).

FIG. 7 shows a specific example in which a three-dimensional data object having five morphological levels is displayed in a three-dimensional coordinate space by the display device 8. In FIG. 7, the Z axis represents the time axis, and the X axis represents the classification axis. Note that these axes need not be displayed on the screen of the display device 8.

In the three-dimensional coordinate space, each three-dimensional data object has an object arrangement plane defined by a time axis and a classification axis corresponding to a display period (time information) and a display classification (classification information) of the corresponding data. Is placed on top. Here, since the time axis and the classification axis are each divided by a predetermined width, the object arrangement plane defined by both axes is divided into a grid. As a result, the three-dimensional data objects included in the same classification are arranged in a line parallel to the time axis.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the three-dimensional coordinate space, the form level is changed to level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, level 5 as the distance from the viewpoint (not shown) increases. However, a three-dimensional data object is arranged. In other words, the object closest to the viewpoint is displayed as the level M1 object whose content is best understood. An object that is slightly distant from the object M1 is displayed as a level 2 object M2. For a farther object, level 3 is a level where the contents are not well understood but the existence can be confirmed.
Object M3 and level 4 object M
4 is displayed. An object that is too far away is set to the object M5 of level 5, that is, not displayed.

As described above, according to the data display device of the present embodiment, since the three-dimensional data object is displayed by the object having a small display load as the distance from the viewpoint increases, the overall calculation load can be reduced. it can.

Embodiment 2 Another embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members shown in the first embodiment include:
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

In the data display device according to the present embodiment, the object arranging unit 4 manages each three-dimensional data object in units of blocks divided according to the position in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and associates the viewpoint with each block. According to the distance, the form level of the three-dimensional data object is selected for each block, and all the three-dimensional data objects included in the block are arranged at the same form level.

With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the processing from the input of the search request by the user to the display of the data will be described in the order of steps.

First, the management unit 1 receives the display period, display classification, and viewpoint position input by the user via the input device 6, and starts the processing (Sa). Next, first, the management unit 1 causes the space display information table 120 to be displayed.
(FIG. 2), the viewpoint information table 140 (FIG. 4), and the data display information table 130 (FIG. 3) are updated (S
1). Second, a three-dimensional coordinate space is generated by the space generation unit 2 (S2). Third, a three-dimensional data object is generated by the object generation unit 3 (S3 to S3).
S6). Steps Sa and S1 in FIG.
Steps S6 to S6 are the same as steps Sa and S1 to S6 in FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment.

Subsequently, in S17, the three-dimensional data object obtained by the object generation unit 3 is deleted by the object placement unit 4 for all the data in the data display information table 130 input from the management unit 1.
The block is divided into a plurality of grid-like blocks according to the position on the object arrangement plane including the classification axis and the time axis in the dimensional coordinate space. At this time, division is performed for each fixed number of classifications on the classification axis and for each time interval on the time axis.

Further, in steps S18 to S22, 3
A three-dimensional data object is generated (S3 to S6), and the three-dimensional data object is divided into a plurality of blocks (S17).
All the data in the data display information table 130 input from the
3D generated by the space generation unit 2
Place in dimensional coordinate space.

At this time, in the three-dimensional coordinate space, the object arrangement plane on which the three-dimensional data object is arranged is divided into a plurality of blocks according to the distance from the viewpoint. Then, the distance between each block on the object arrangement plane and the viewpoint is calculated (S20), and the form level for displaying the objects belonging to the block is selected according to the distance from the viewpoint to the block (S21). Then, in the method of selecting a morphological level, a morphological level having a smaller calculation load is used as the distance from the viewpoint increases. That is, all three-dimensional data objects belonging to a certain block are displayed at the same morphological level that is selected so that the display load decreases as the block moves away from the viewpoint. Note that S17 to S22 correspond to the object arrangement processing and the block processing.

Finally, in step S23, the display unit 5 displays the three-dimensional coordinate space from the viewpoint based on the viewpoint information input from the management unit 1 and the three-dimensional coordinate space information input from the object placement unit 4. Is displayed on the display device 8. Note that S23 corresponds to a display process.

Here, as in the first embodiment, when the input from the user is only a viewpoint change (Sb), the processing in the space generation unit 2 and the object generation unit 3 (S1 to S6) Is not performed, and the process starts from step S17. Specifically, it is as follows.

In step Sb, the management unit 1 receives the viewpoint position input by the user via the input device 6, and starts the processing. Since the three-dimensional coordinate space and the three-dimensional data object have already been generated in the first processing (S1 to S6) for the viewpoint position, step S
In steps 17 to S22, the object placement unit 4 places all data in the data display information table 130 input from the management unit 1 in a three-dimensional coordinate space. That is, the object arrangement unit 4 divides the three-dimensional data object into a plurality of blocks (S17), recalculates the distance between the viewpoint and each block on the object arrangement plane (S20), and for each block based on the distance. The form level of each three-dimensional data object is changed (S21). This processing is performed for all blocks on the object arrangement plane, and the display unit 5 displays the display device 8 based on the new viewpoint information and the three-dimensional coordinate space information.
Is displayed (S23).

FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional coordinate space in which the display device 8 divides a three-dimensional data object having five morphological levels into 3 × 4 blocks according to the distance from the viewpoint. Shows a specific example shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the Z axis represents the time axis, and the X axis represents the classification axis. Note that these coordinate axes and block boundaries may not be displayed on the screen of the display device 8.

In the three-dimensional coordinate space, each three-dimensional data object is arranged on an object arrangement plane defined by a time axis and a classification axis corresponding to a display period and a display classification of the corresponding data. Here, since the time axis and the classification axis are each divided by a predetermined width, the object arrangement plane is divided into a lattice shape. Therefore, three-dimensional data objects included in the same classification are arranged in a line in parallel with the time axis.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the three-dimensional coordinate space, as the blocks move away from the viewpoint, the three-dimensional data objects to which they belong belong to level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, level 5, and so on. It is displayed while changing the form level. That is, the three-dimensional data object in the block B21 closest to the viewpoint is
The content is displayed by the object M1 of the level 1 in which the contents are best understood. Block B that is slightly farther than block B21
The three-dimensional data objects in 11, B31 and B22 are displayed as level 2 objects M2. Further distant blocks B12, B32, B23 and block B1
3, the level of the three-dimensional data object in B33 is a level at which the content is not well understood but its existence can be confirmed.
Object M3 and level 4 object M4
Are indicated by. And the farthest block B
The three-dimensional data objects in 14, B24 and B34 are not displayed at level 5 (object M5).

As described above, according to the data display device of the present embodiment, since the morphological level of the three-dimensional data object is changed in units of blocks, the calculation load of the distance between the viewpoint and each three-dimensional data object is reduced. It is possible to reduce the size.

[Embodiment 3] The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as those described in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the data display device according to the present embodiment, when the distance between the viewpoint and the block is within a specific range, the object arranging unit 4 determines the distance between each three-dimensional data object in the block and the viewpoint. Then, one of the form levels of the three-dimensional data object is selected and arranged.

The processing from the input of a search request by the user to the display of data will be described in the order of steps with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the management unit 1 receives the display period, display classification, and viewpoint position input by the user via the input device 6, and starts the processing (Sa). Next, first, the management unit 1 causes the space display information table 120 to be displayed.
(FIG. 2), the viewpoint information table 140 (FIG. 4), and the data display information table 130 (FIG. 3) are updated (S
1). Second, a three-dimensional coordinate space is generated by the space generation unit 2 (S2). Third, a three-dimensional data object is generated by the object generation unit 3 (S3 to S3).
S6). Steps Sa and S in FIG.
The processing of 1 to S6 is the same as that of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment.
Is the same as the processing of step Sa and steps S1 to S6.

Next, in S27, the three-dimensional data object obtained by the object generating unit 3 is converted into three-dimensional coordinates by the object arranging unit 4 for all the data in the data display information table 130 input from the managing unit 1. It is divided into a plurality of lattice-shaped blocks according to the position on the object arrangement plane composed of the space classification axis and the time axis. At this time, division is performed for each fixed number of classifications on the classification axis and for each time interval on the time axis.

Subsequently, the processing of steps S28 to S38 is performed for each block.

First, the distance d between the viewpoint and the block is calculated (S30), and it is determined whether or not the obtained distance d is within a predetermined specific range (S3).
1).

If the result of the determination in step S31 is that the distance d does not fall within the specific range, all the three-dimensional data objects in the block are deleted according to the distance d, as in the second embodiment. They are arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space at the same form level (S37).

On the other hand, if the distance d falls within the above specific range, the distance between the viewpoint and the three-dimensional data object is calculated for all the three-dimensional data objects in the block, and the distance is calculated. The three-dimensional data object is arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space at the morphological level selected according to (S32 to S36).

Therefore, if the specific range is set to a certain range close to the viewpoint, the blocks close to the viewpoint are arranged at different morphological levels for each three-dimensional data object, and the blocks far from the viewpoint are within the block. The three-dimensional data objects are arranged at the same morphological level.

Steps S27 to S38 correspond to the object arrangement processing.

Finally, in step S39, the display unit 5 uses the three-dimensional coordinate space from the viewpoint position based on the viewpoint information input from the management unit 1 and the three-dimensional coordinate space information input from the object placement unit 4. Is displayed on the display device 8. Step S39 corresponds to display processing.

Here, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the case where the input from the user is only a viewpoint change (S
In b), the processing (S1 to S6) in the space generation unit 2 and the object generation unit 3 is not performed, and the processing is started from step S27. Specifically, it is as follows.

In step Sb, the management unit 1 receives the viewpoint position input by the user via the input device 6, and starts the processing. Since the three-dimensional coordinate space and the three-dimensional data object have already been generated in the first processing (S1 to S6) for the viewpoint position, step S
In steps S27 to S38, the object placement unit 4 places all data in the data display information table 130 input from the management unit 1 in a three-dimensional coordinate space. That is, the three-dimensional data object is divided into a plurality of blocks in the object placement unit 4 (S27), and the distance d between the viewpoint and each block on the object placement plane is recalculated (S30). The form level of each three-dimensional data object is changed.

At this time, if the distance d between the viewpoint and the block is within a specific range, the distance between the viewpoint and the three-dimensional data object is calculated for all the three-dimensional data objects in the block. The morphological level is selected according to the distance (S32 to S36). On the other hand, if the distance d is out of the specific range, all the three-dimensional data objects in the block are set to the same form level according to the distance d (S37). Then, this processing is performed for all blocks on the object arrangement plane, and the display unit 5 displays on the display device 8 based on the new viewpoint information and the three-dimensional coordinate space information (S39).

FIG. 11 shows that the display device 8 divides a three-dimensional data object having five morphological levels into a 3 × 4 block in which the object arrangement plane is divided into 3 × 4 blocks according to the distance from the viewpoint. Shows a specific example shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the Z axis represents the time axis, and the X axis represents the classification axis. Note that these coordinate axes and block boundaries may not be displayed on the screen of the display device 8.

In the three-dimensional coordinate space, each three-dimensional data object is arranged on an object arrangement plane defined by a time axis and a classification axis corresponding to a display period and a display classification of the corresponding data. Here, since the time axis and the classification axis are each divided by a predetermined width, the object arrangement plane is divided into a lattice shape. Therefore, three-dimensional data objects included in the same classification are arranged in a line in parallel with the time axis.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the three-dimensional coordinate space, as the blocks move away from the viewpoint, the three-dimensional data objects to which the blocks belong are level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, level 5, and so on. It is displayed while changing the form level. That is, in the blocks B11, B21, and B31 close to the viewpoint, since the distance d between the viewpoint and the block is within a specific range, the distance between each three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint is individually calculated, and the distance is calculated according to the distance. As a result of the selection of the morphological level, an object M1 of level 1 is located closer to the viewpoint, and an object M2 of level 2 is located slightly further away. Block B22, blocks B12, B32, B2
3. In the blocks B13 and B33, since the distance d from the viewpoint is out of the specific range, all three-dimensional data objects in the block are changed to the level 2 object M2 and the level 3 object M3 according to the distance d. , Level 4 object M4. The three-dimensional data objects in the farthest blocks B14, B24, and B34 are not displayed at level 5 (object M5).

As described above, according to the data display device of the present embodiment, when the distance between the viewpoint and the block falls within a certain range, the distance between each three-dimensional data object in the block and the viewpoint is determined. Since the morphological level of each three-dimensional data object is selected accordingly, even when a block is close to the viewpoint and has a large range, a three-dimensional data object within the block and far from the viewpoint can be displayed at a morphological level with a small calculation load. Thus, the overall calculation load can be reduced.

The embodiments described above do not limit the scope of the present invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the following configurations can be adopted.

In each of the above embodiments, before selecting the morphological level of a three-dimensional data object, three-dimensional data objects of all morphological levels are generated (S
5). However, it is also possible to calculate the distance from the viewpoint first, select the form level, and generate only the three-dimensional data object of the form level required for display.

Further, the data display device using the data display method according to the present invention has a management unit (storage unit) for storing a plurality of data having time information and classification information, a time axis in the depth direction, and a horizontal direction. A space generation unit that generates a three-dimensional coordinate space having a classification axis, and an object generation unit that generates a three-dimensional data object having a plurality of morphological levels representing the contents of each data and having different calculation loads during display. When arranging the three-dimensional data object in the coordinate space according to the information of each data, one of the morphological levels of each three-dimensional data object is selected and arranged according to the distance between each three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint. It may be configured to include an object arrangement unit and a display unit that displays the coordinate space from an arbitrary viewpoint.

With this configuration, it is possible to generate a three-dimensional data object having a plurality of morphological levels with different calculation loads for display, and to use a morphological level with a small load when the object is seen far away from the viewpoint and small. Thus, the overall calculation load can be reduced.

Also, in the data display method according to the present invention, the object arrangement unit manages each three-dimensional data object in units of blocks divided according to the position in the coordinate space, and according to the distance between the viewpoint and each block. Thus, all the three-dimensional data objects included in the block may be arranged at the same morphological level.

According to this method, the three-dimensional data object is managed in units of blocks, and the calculation of the distance from the viewpoint is performed in units of blocks. Therefore, the calculation load of the distance between each three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint can be reduced.

Further, in the data display method according to the present invention, when the distance between the viewpoint and the block is within a specific range, the object arranging unit may determine the distance between each three-dimensional data object in the block and the viewpoint. Alternatively, any form level of the three-dimensional data object may be selected and arranged.

According to this method, when the distance between the viewpoint and the block falls within a certain range, the form level of each three-dimensional data object is selected according to the distance between each three-dimensional data object in the block and the viewpoint. Even when the range of the block is large and the block is close to the viewpoint, the three-dimensional data object within the block and far from the viewpoint has a small calculation level for display, and the overall calculation load can be reduced. .

[0093]

According to the data display method of the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, a space generating process for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space, and each data is represented by being arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space. An object generation process for generating a three-dimensional data object at a plurality of morphological levels having different loads required for display, and selecting the morphological level according to a distance between the three-dimensional data object and a viewpoint; In the three-dimensional coordinate space, and the three-dimensional data object is arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space.
And a display process for displaying an image of the dimensional coordinate space viewed from the viewpoint.

Therefore, the three-dimensional data object is
As the distance from the viewpoint increases, the image can be displayed at a morphological level with a small display load. Therefore, in a database in which data is arranged and visualized in a three-dimensional coordinate space as a three-dimensional data object, there is an effect that the entire display load can be reduced.

As described above, in the data display method according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the method according to the first aspect, the object arranging process includes the step of placing the three-dimensional data object in accordance with a position in the three-dimensional coordinate space. Including the block processing of arranging all the three-dimensional data objects included in the block at the same form level according to the distance between the viewpoint and each block. It is.

Therefore, in addition to the effect of the method of the first aspect, the three-dimensional data object is managed in units of blocks, and the distance from the viewpoint is calculated in units of blocks.
There is an effect that the calculation load required for selecting the form level of the dimensional data object can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data display method for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space, and a three-dimensional coordinate system arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space to represent each data. An object generation process for generating data objects at a plurality of morphological levels having different loads required for display; managing the three-dimensional data objects in blocks divided according to positions in the three-dimensional coordinate space; In the block in which the distance between the three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint is within a predetermined range set in advance, the morphological level is selected according to the distance between each three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint.
Place the three-dimensional data object in the three-dimensional coordinate space,
In the block whose distance from the viewpoint is outside the predetermined range,
An object arranging process for selecting the morphological level according to the distance between the block and the viewpoint, and arranging all three-dimensional data objects included in the block in the three-dimensional coordinate space at the same morphological level; And a display process for displaying an image of the three-dimensional coordinate space in which the object is arranged as viewed from the viewpoint.

Therefore, since the three-dimensional data objects are managed in units of blocks and the calculation of the distance from the viewpoint is performed in units of blocks, the calculation load required for selecting the form level of each three-dimensional data object can be reduced. In addition, in a block whose distance from the viewpoint is within a predetermined range set in advance, a three-dimensional data object within the block and far from the viewpoint can be displayed at a form level with a small display load.

Therefore, in a database for visualizing data by arranging the data as a three-dimensional data object in a three-dimensional coordinate space, there is an effect that the entire display load can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data display apparatus for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space and a three-dimensional coordinate system arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space to represent each data. An object generating means for generating a data object at a plurality of morphological levels having different loads required for display, and selecting the morphological level according to a distance between the three-dimensional data object and a viewpoint; An object arranging means for arranging the object in a three-dimensional coordinate space and a display means for displaying an image of the three-dimensional coordinate space in which the three-dimensional data object is arranged as viewed from the viewpoint are provided.

Therefore, the three-dimensional data object is
As the distance from the viewpoint increases, the image can be displayed at a morphological level with a small display load. Therefore, in a database in which data is arranged and visualized in a three-dimensional coordinate space as a three-dimensional data object, there is an effect that the entire display load can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a data display device to which the data display method shown in FIGS. 5, 8, and 10 is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a space display information table managed by the data display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a data display information table managed by the data display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a viewpoint information table managed by the data display device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a data display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional data object used for displaying data in the data display device shown in FIG.

7 is an explanatory diagram of a display example in which a three-dimensional data object is arranged and displayed in a three-dimensional coordinate space by the data display method shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart schematically showing a data display method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is an explanatory diagram of a display example in which a three-dimensional data object is arranged and displayed in a three-dimensional coordinate space by the data display method shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of a data display method according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is an explanatory diagram of a display example in which a three-dimensional data object is arranged and displayed in a three-dimensional coordinate space by the data display method shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 space generation unit (space generation unit) 3 object generation unit (object generation unit) 4 object arrangement unit (object arrangement unit) 5 display unit (display unit) B11, B21, B31, B12, B22, B32, B
13, B23, B33, B14, B24, B34 Block M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 Three-dimensional data object S2 Space generation processing S3 to S6 Object generation processing S7 to S11, S17 to S22, S27 to S38 Object arrangement processing S12 , S23, S39 Display processing S17 to S22 Block processing

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A space generation process for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space, and a plurality of form levels different in load required for displaying three-dimensional data objects arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space and representing respective data. An object generation process for generating the object in the step (b), selecting the morphological level according to the distance between the three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint, and arranging the three-dimensional data object in the three-dimensional coordinate space; A display process of displaying an image of the three-dimensional coordinate space in which the three-dimensional data object is arranged from the viewpoint. 2. The object arranging process manages the three-dimensional data object in units of blocks divided according to a position in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and performs block management in accordance with a distance between the viewpoint and each block. 2. The data display method according to claim 1, further comprising a block process for arranging all the three-dimensional data objects included in the same at the same morphological level. 3. A space generation process for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space, and a plurality of morphological levels having different loads required for displaying a three-dimensional data object arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space and representing each data. And generating the object in the three-dimensional data object in units of blocks divided according to the position in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and the distance from the viewpoint within a predetermined range. In the block, the morphological level is selected according to the distance between each three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint, and the three-dimensional data object is arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and the distance from the viewpoint is outside the predetermined range. In that block,
An object arranging process for selecting the morphological level according to the distance between the block and the viewpoint, and arranging all three-dimensional data objects included in the block at the same morphological level in a three-dimensional coordinate space; A display process for displaying an image of the three-dimensional coordinate space in which the objects are arranged as viewed from the viewpoint. 4. A space generating means for generating a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space, and a plurality of form levels having different loads required for displaying three-dimensional data objects arranged in the three-dimensional coordinate space and representing respective data. An object generating means for selecting the morphological level according to the distance between the three-dimensional data object and the viewpoint, and arranging the three-dimensional data object in the three-dimensional coordinate space; A display unit for displaying an image of the three-dimensional coordinate space in which the three-dimensional data object is arranged, as viewed from the viewpoint.